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Environment Environnement Canada

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT BRANCH

MANUSCRIPT REPORT

No. .

Atlantic Salmon Survey of Annapolis River System, Annapolis and Kings Counties,N.S.

by

J. Dalziel and N. MacEachern

4rittevice 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 HolifoWN.S. ATLANTIC SALMON SURVEY OF ANNAPOLIS RIVER SYSTEM ANNAPOLIS & KINGS COS., N.S. 1957 by 3. Dalziel N. MacEachern

ABSTRACT Good salmon spawning grounds were observed on the lower sections of the Nictaux River, Fales River and the South Annapolis River. A few scattered sections of possible spawning grounds exist on the main river between Lawrencetown and Paradise. Good nursery areas extend thr-aghout the snawning areas and includes all of the nain river.

Major obstructions were found on all the large branch strepmR and include storage dams, barrier falls, mill dams and diversion canals.

Salmon angling is carried out on the rain 7.iver - below

-Aiddleton, on the Nictaux River, below Rogers Mill, and on the Lequille and Round Hill.7vers. GENERAL DESCRIPTION 07 STRUM The Annapolis Fiver is a comparatively large stream, about 50 miles long, which rises near Berwick, Kings County,'.3., and flows in a southerly direction through Kings and Annapolis Counties, emptying into below . The stream was surveyed during June and July, 1957, from Berwick West to the head of tide, including all of the main branch streams. Source to Middleton - From its source down to Mieldletonl the stream flows through neadowland and farmland with small sections of swampland and woodland scattered here and there. The gradient is slight, while the stream for the most part is gently flowing, broken occasionally by short, rapid sections. Width varies from 10 to 60 feet. The water is brown in colour, and the bottom is com- posed of sand and very fine gravel with some bedree, rocks, boulders and sUt :scattered''.ere t7:-:ore. There are no good helding, pools, but transient salmon pools are numerous. Yearling salmon were abundant, while fish of the year were almost entirely absent. No salmon spawning grounds were observed, but shad soawning groura s were numerous. 22-11-keLtan.,..te.---01)arad;isc' - From Middleton to Paradise, a distance of about 10 miles, the stream flows through a mixture of meadowland, farmland and woodland. Gradient varies from slight to moderate, while the velocity is mostly sluggish. The stream is about 60 feet wide, dark brown in colour, and the bottom is composed mainly of sand with some bedrock, rocks, boulders and coarse gravel. There are several goo d holding pools along this section that provide the best sal: oe angling area in the main river. Salmon yearlings are present in this area, although they do not seem as abundant as in the area above Middleton. Limited salmon spawning grounds were observed in the riffle areas between Law- rencetown and Paradise. A few fish of the year were observed in the Lawrencetown area. Water temperatures varied between 15.5 9t and and the was 7.2. TRIBUTARIES Bloody Creek is a small stream about 12 miles long which flows out of Godfrey Lake and empties into the main river, about 2 miles below Bridgetown. The stream was surveyed from ite month un to the power dam, a distance f)17 about 4 miles. In this section, the stream, is about 25 feet wide and has a steep gradient. Bottom is comeosed mostly of rocks and boulders, eith some coarse gravel scattered here and there. The drainage area is wooded, with some marshland near the mouth. Pools are email end. shoal with no shelter for large fish. Tatural fieh flod is abundant, but fieh feuna vere ecaree. *o ealnon seneenine greends 0bser7d. spaleelne 311:7707 earrled out List , .wea.' plant °;a3.lief..loeratl.ng tle wa;er was shut 11.. iam,n a resalt, the wster is the brook wns very low, and Ido not believe any nalmon would enter a brook in this condition. 7ecause of the fluctuating water levels, this would Lot be a !mrsery brook. The water is very :lark brown in colour and aad a temperature of The Power Plant, owned by the 7ova Icetia Light end ?ower C;o., is tn a very ?cep state of repair. I was told that this plant vas only going to operate until some major breakdown occurred, at le;1!:.:h time the plant will cease to operate. The storage dam is built in the gnrge about on mile above the plant. al:Raise Fiver is abn-ut 1'5 miles long and flows out of Paradise Iced Lake, pmotying into the Annapolis -1.ver betaea Bridgetown and Levrencetown. The stream was surveyed from its mouth to the barrier falls, a distance of about 4 miles .- The tre varts in v7,Jjj: rrom 11 fet to 10 feet, an:i in depth from tnce3 in the ru'es to 7 feat in t pools. 7%e gradient is quite steep aid the' vgAncity is raoid. The drainage area is wooded with some marshland near the month. Bottom is composed of bedroek, rocks ard boulders with sr d and gravel near the mouth. :he strea eoled of about 7 runs to ,j7.4 pools. :here ace three falls in te two-mile stretch below the junetion of Rextary Brook. These falls are 5 to 'S feet high and are only barrtere during low-vater piiods. There Is a 15 foot barrier tall on the in river lust above the confluence with ixbnry rook. The lova Scotia Light and Power Company hss a storage 4am on the main river about 6 miles from its .;;Iouth. The water is piped from here to the power plant, a distance of about two miles, and 13 (Ascherged into Daniel's Brook. Because of this diversion, the amount of water in the strer.: 110/olethe dam, has beea greatly decrelsed, thus 7ractically wiping out the salmon potential of the brook. During the spawning survey in -7:17ember, there was no water flowin over the dam. No salmen were observed In the stream. yer !ter is a large:-,ranch stresm eont 71 ailes 1-)ng that flows out of Aolli Ussi ndties in on the true left bank of the main river at Aiddlet ,m. The stream was surveyed from its mouth to the po4er plant at fletaux Palls, a distance of about 4i sidles. From the falls to its olouth, the stream flows through mixture of woodland and low maedovland. The stream is about 50 feet wide and 14 inches doe, in the runs, end io composed of about 570 1:Joels to ¶ ' Bottom is comonsed of coarse gravel, fine gravel, ro1 1 bed:beck 7here are several e„:.-1 salla pools a a c7:)::ole of g:',71d 7ools in thle area. (7,n sorelning and fair nursery arels e ;c:Lst,- in this section. ator levels fluctuate greatly becluse of t':14, '7ydro plant and saw 1l. These fluct,iations have z.-.1 adverse , ffect on the nursery petenti31 of the stream.

71*.r.,347nt, 7, p-.11:rtmpnt• ..7 .71or.:1t1 1 - • 7fttatn.4,. -777, --77-1L'. "7, 7 ± at ti.a present time. 1nce the constructisn of' the mw :yidro plant at. A.ctaum ills, the water in the In river above the falls has been divrrted into 4 er canal, ri the salmon ?otemtial in that section ^r the river has been destroyed. LII.L.Islylmr: is a small streo about 1.1 miles long that flows it of Pand711 ',,ace and empties into the main river below Kingston. The stream is Accessible to the barrier falls and saw mill near East Tremont. According to incol resorts, few salmon ascend t'ne stream beyond the highway bridge at East Tremont. The stream is about,^0- feet widr and, haa a noderate gradient. Fro its mouth uo to East Tremont, thm drainage •rea is conposed of farmland, pasture land Ind sone ulodland, above thi 'woodl'4n.1 oredominates. inoln are s:11 with little shelter for large fish. Natural fish. food is abundant. Bottom, up to about 1P" mile above Nast 7romont, onnoosi of sond, eravri rocks. Able this brr.:Liern Jreaominate. H1 fauna 7,! , liAlndaaf; sur'iers, parr, salnon lamormys,Pels, sti 3tleba,zk and tr.lut. 7;11:i section of stream provides good spawning and nursery &rota for salmon, 2evera1 compllAed salmon reads were observed :1..:ring grIvember between KingstA a-A the 'eavrai cLi ablve Rest Tremont road bridge. I woula suggest ' the ha clery stock this brook f1-7,o its mouth up to the barrier falls. t! ¼j1tiv is a small branch about 13 miles long that flows out of Parker Lake and empties In or the true left bank If the naI river a:)out 1/ mile above aub!Irn. !ha stream is accessible to sal-^n, up an rsrt rriPr and stnrage dam near ..orristown, a dintance cq' about 14 miles.

- 1-,1771 its mouth up to iillville, the stream flows through a low flat fsrmirs! area snd the flow is vPry siu7tsh. Bottom is cnmposed of sand and r!..ne gravel. This Is a F73),. spay/mine area for !mad. rrom lillville to the falls, the drainagc, iLree is composed mainly of woodland and the gradient 5raduaiLy becomes quite stee. lotton is composed mainly of gravel with some rocks, rubble and bedrock.

17.. stream Is;°•lbmt -71• t Idc nnfi hi l 7+Arsi salmon 7..:1s. 3ottol fauna was .;:iburidant. fnunn nf ..57.11td trfnit, in parr, la71prqs, tlInnevs az1.1. stmt. Thlt stram .7.rvidea salm:-.111 spavnInz and nursort tr17,s. completed salmon ref,:ls were observed is the l -e* 1)17!tween'11.71:71.11e t 74.1;,ybrAlw. thp fnlls. !turinz

7,11e rT - ,,.71beT s This 3 o7'in s7..vavnimt 1alt 77.1tem• . ‘-t I would suggest that the hatchery stock this stream with salmon up as far as the falls. N.B. The Leouille and Round Hill Rivers, which form. a part of this system, were surveyed by H.E. Edwards in 1954. The spawning grounds and nursery areas on these streams will be included in Table 3 of this report.

TABLE 1. The following is a list of the species of fish found in the system:- Common Name Scientific Name Speckled trout SalVelinus fontinalie Atlantic salnon Salmo salar Striped bass Roccus saxitilis Shad Alosa sapidissima Eel Anguilla rostrata Sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus Sackers Catostomus commersonnii Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus Golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas Fundulus minnows Fundulus diaphanas Other minnows TABLE 2. The following is a list of the bottom fauna observed in the river: Common Name Scientific Name Mayfly nymph Ephemerida Mussels Pelecypoda Dragonfly nymphs Anisoptera Ald erfly larva Sialidae Cranefly larva Tipuloidea Midge larva Chironomus Stonefly larva Plecoptera Beetles Coleoptera Snails Gastrapoda

3PAVIING AREAS The main spawning areas were found on the branch streams, with only a few scattered. sections observed on the .:T441n river. They are marked on the man and designated as SNa l etc. inch streams: S-I. That pet of the South Annaeelie i-re from _11- ville to witein 1/2 nile of the falls, a distance of ebout 2-!f. miles, serves as one of the main spawning grounds on tae sstem for Atlantic salmon. The stream is about 20 feet wide and the bottom is composed of coarse gravel, sand, rocks, rubble and bedrock. No holding pools were observed, but salmon pools were abundant. Salmon redds were observed here during Novetber.

S-2. The two-mile section of Fales River between Kingston Village and East Tremont serves as a spawning area for salmon. The stream is about 20 feet wide and has an average depth of about 6 inches. Bottom is composed of gravel, rocks, sand and rubble. No holding pools were observed but salmon pools make up about 50% of the total stream area. A few completed salmon redds were observed along this section on November 13th. As the water is very dark brown in colour, it is quite possible that many redds were present that were not observed.

S-3. Good spawning grounds were observed on the Nictaux River from Rogers Mill down to the main river, a distance of about 2 miles. The fish are prevented from going beyond this point, and a portion is trapped and stripped here for the early- run experiments. The stream is about 45 feet.wide and the bottom is composed of gravel, sand and rocks. MAIN RIVER: S-4. There is a small section of possible spawning grounds situated about 1/4 mile above Lawrencetown road bridge. This area is about 200 yards long and 50 feet wide. Salmon pools and holding pools were observed nearby. S-5. Immediately below Lawrencetown road bridge, there is a small section of possible spawning grounds. This section is about 500 yds. long and 50 ft. wide. Salmon pools and holding pools are present. S-6. About half way between Lawrencetown and Paradise, there is a small spawning area about 300 yds. long and 60 ft. wide. Salmon pools are present. Bottom is composed of gravel, rocks, sand and boulders. S-7. A short distance above Paradise road bridge, there is about 1/3 mile of possible spawning area. The stream here is about 60 feet wide and the bottom is composed of a mixture of boulders, gravel, rocks and sand. Salmon pools are present. NURSERY AREAS The nursery potential of many of the branch streams has been destroyed or greatly reduced by the construction of small hydro developments. The main river provides fair nursery area throughout most of its length.

Main river: N-1. That section of the main river betweea3ervick West and f.iddleton, a distance of about 22 Tiles, serves as a fair nursery area for salmon.•T,te rt7er varts t width from 10 ft. to 50 ft., and the bottom is composed lostly of sand and /fine fine gravel. Good shelter is provided in the pools and deep gently flowing areas by loE7s and debris that have been carried down by the river. Salmon yearlings were seined and observed in quite large numbers all along this section of stream. Fish of the year were almost entirely absent. Shade conditions are poor in much of this area. Boom fauna is fairly abundant.

N-2. The seven-mile section of river between Middleton and Lawrencetown can only be classified as possible nursery area. The stream here is about 60 feet wide and is composed of many wide deep stillwater areas. No young salmon were observed. This section should provide a good habitat for coarse fish.

N-3. That section of stream between Lawrencetown and Paradise, a distance of about miles, serves as a good nursery area for salmon. The stream is about 60 feet wide and is composed of 30% pools to 70% riffles. Bottom is made up of 30% sand and fine gravel, 30 coarse eravel, 30°., rocks and 105 boulders. Good shelter is provided for the eeiell fish in the pools and among the rocks and boulders of the runs. Bottom fauna was abundant. Selnon yearlings were quite abundant and fish of the year were also present.

BRANCH STREAMS:

N-4. The South Annapolis ?iver has about 14 miles of suitable nursery area between the barrier falls near Morristown and the main river. From the dam down to the bottom is composed of coarse gravel, rocks, boulders and bedrock. Natural fish food is abundant and the flow is quite rapid. This provides the best nursery area. Below the bottom is composed mostly of sand and fine gravel and the stream is gently flowing. Some salmon yearlings were observed but the area could support many more than it is doing at present. I would suegest that the hatchery stock this area quite heavily, especially above Millville. -5. Good nursery areas were found in Fales River from the barrier falls above East Tremont to the main river, a distance of about 14 miles. Bottom is composed of gravel, boulders, roc'es, rubble, sand and bedrock. $ish fond sees abundant. eeols are small but provide good shelter for small fish. Salmon yearlings were abundant but no fish of the year were observed. Aleers end wooded country provide good shade along teach of the stream. would suggest that the hatchery stock this area with salmon. N-6. That section of the Yictaux River between the falls and the main river, a distance of about 4* miles, serves as a nursery area for salmon. The stream is about 50 ft. wide, and is composed of about 50% pools to 50% riffles. Bottom is composed of gravel, sand, rocks, rubble and bedrock. Natural fish food is fairly abundant. Salmon yearlings were present but no fish of the year were observed. The hydro plant and the saw mill have an adverse effect on the nursery potential of the river. The power canal destroys the nursery potential of the stream above the falls. /N-7 N-7, That section of the Paradise River between the barrier falls and the mouth of the river, a distance of about four miles, c:)uld FO'v^ as a nurcery area for sal non if the water levels in the brook are high enough. Since the completion of the hydro development, practically all the water in the main Paradise River is diverted cow n to the hydro plant and discharged into another brook. During the saliaon spawning survey in

November, no water was flowing over the dam. These fluctuating water levels have practically wiped out the nursery potential of the brook.

N-8. The four-miTe section of Bloody Creek between the hydro development and the main river provides a very poor possible nursery area for salmon. The stream here is about 25 feet wide and has a steep gradient. Bottom is composed mainly of reeks and boulders with some gravel scattered here and there. The drainage area is wooded with some marshland near the mouth. Pools are small and shoal with no shelter for large fish. Natural fict food is fairly abundant but fish fauna is scarce. Water levels fluctuate greatly because of tie hydro Plant. Those fluctuating water levels have an adverse effect on the nursery potential of this brook. PREDATION About 25 American mergansers were observed along different sections of the river. Other predators observed included eels, turtles (snapping and painted),kingfishers and dragonfly nymphs.

BARRIERS The main barriers are found on the branch streams with only two partial barriers existing on the main river. B-1. There is a small wood and clay dam about two feet high and 65 ft. long across the main river above Auburn. This dam is owned by Herbert Oiler, Kentville, N.S., and is used to back water up into the cranberry bogs during low-water periods. There are two sluice gates in the da: about 18 inches high and feet wide. These gates were both o7en during the survey. This dam is an obstruction only while the sluice gates are closed.. B-2. About miles below Auburn, there is a small rock dam across the river. This dam is approximately 3 ft.high and has a sluice on the true left bank 3 ft.wide and 6 ft.long. This dam is owned by Herbert Oiler, Kentville, N.S., and is used for irrigation purposes in connection with cranberry bog. This dam is not an obstruction to the ascent of fish as long as the sluice remains free of debris.

BRANCH B-3. There is a falls on the South Annapolie Fiver about 14 miles frog its moilths This is a complete barrier to :sae ascent of fish. falls on tae South 3 - 1-

/ATI' polls Annapolis Piver, there is a second falls about 25 ft.high. There are the remains of an old driving dam at the ton of this falls. This is a complete barrier to the ascent of fish. B-5. The Berwick Light and Power Company has a stora ,7e dam on the Cough Annapolis River, a short distance above the falls. This dam is 350 ft. long, 25 ft.high and of concrete construction. This is a complete barrier. B-6. There is a barrier falls on Pales River about one mile above East Tremont. This falls is about 100 ft.high. Salmon never ascended beyond this point. There is a small cement dam, about 15 ft.high at the top of this falls. The salmon collecting station on the Jictaux Fiver prevents the fish from going beyond Rogers Mill. B-C. The cater in the main Nictaux River is diverted into a power canal and is piped down to the hydro plant at Nictaax Falls. This arrangement prevents fish-from ascending beyond this point. B-9. There is a 25 ft. barrier falls on Paradise River situated a short distance above the confluence with Roxbury Brook. B-10. The Light and Power Company has a storage dam on Paradise River, about 2i miles above the barrier falls. Most of the water stored here is passed down through the pipeline to the hydro plant and is discharged out into Daniel's brook. B-11. The Nova Scotia Light and Power Company has a small hydro development on Bloody creek, about 3 Niles from its mouth. The main storage dam is 100 ft. wide, 20 ft.high and is con- structed of concrete. The dam is situated at the head of a very rocky gorge, which in itself is a barrier to the ascent of fish. The water is pi7)ed from this dam down to the power plant, a distance of about one mile.

.7D/NMacE/mfm EARLY AID LATE RUN EXPERDENTS

Some of the salmon stocks for the early and late run experiments have been taken from the Nictaux River. This is an early run river and provides some of the best spring salmon. angling in the area. The fish to be spawned are held inside the barrier at Rogers Mill during the summer. These fish are spawned in the fall and when hatched, the young fish are distributed in River Phillip which is known as a late run river. Approximately one-half of the 1953 hatch are to be placed back in the Nictaux River. The nu!lbers of egzs collected `.sere for the early r= experiments are as follows:

Year Collected Number of &7q.,s

1954 23,000 1955 .174,600 1956 120,915 1957 49,290

PROPOSED A3OITEAU

Construction of the proposed aboiteau which is to be built across the main river near Annapolis Royal, will commence in the spring of 1958. This dam is to be built on the same prin- ciple as the one at ehepody, N. B. In all probability, this will have an adverse effect on the anadromous fishes in the area. We know from our experiences at Shepody, that this type of dam has a tendency to hold up salmon for an indefinite period, but that they can be passed through when •,rater conditions are right.;':ether other types of fish that ordinarily frequent this area will pass t!7,ro7h the gate in the dam is not known. It is suggested that some type of counting trcp be installed either in the aboiteau or as close to it as possible, in order to obtain some definite information on what fish a device of this type will pass.

POLL'. ION No areas of serious pollution were observed on tits syz.:,ten.

C=7,73I7IS Salmon spawnin7 . 7rounds are e lower sections V., ..+ 17a: River. A few scattered sections of possib szawn:12.. - -:7_77ounds were t t found in the main river between Lawrencetown and. Paradise. It is my opinion that the available saawnina facilities are tore than adequate to handle the present salmon runs, and that many 'ore fish could spawn here than are doine so at present. Nursery areas extend throughout the spawning areas and include all of the main river to the head of tide. Yearling parr were abundant while fish of the year seemed scarce. This, together with the fact that the salmon runs to the river have been small during the last few years, would seen to indicate that there was a good survival from hatchery stocks planted in 1956. The distributien• scaeCle for the past five years indicated that the Nictaux River had not been stocked with salmon since 1952. Since 1954, the majority of salmon that have entered this stream have been stripped by members of our branch and the eggs sent elsewhere to be used in the early run experiments. It is my opinion that these two facts should have an adverse effect on the salmon runs in this river. It was also noted from the distribution schedule, that Fales River has only been stocked once since 1952, while the South Annapolis River has never been stocked with salmon during this period. The lower sections of both of these rivers provide good nursery areas which, if stocked regularily, should help to improve the ov:rall salmon runs in the system. It is felt that the proposed aboiteau will, in all probability, have an adverse cffeet on the anndrorous fish ih this system. It is possible that the salmon run in the Lequille =diver may be increased because of the aboiteau, as many of the salmon that would ordinarily run into the main river mi7ht go up this branch, if the day in any way acts as a barrier ta their n2cent. The nursery potential of Bloody Creek and Paradise River could be increased appreciably if minimum flows could be arranged through the power company concerned.

RE C 01421E1IDAT I ONS It is suggested that the hatcheries continue stocking thissystem with salmen, with perticular emuhasis on thite lctPux Rivr l Fales River and the L7outh Anna7:oiis 1Uver,- which s72 to have been overlooked in the past. Yearlin4; stocks are prsferred for.this stream. if and when the7 are available.

41", BLE 3. Summary of Suitable Habitat for Atlantic Salmon

Location Length of Sq.yards Miles of Sq.yards Quality of Section Spawning Spawning Nursery Nursery Nursery area Area Area Area Area

Berwick West 20 miles nil nil 22 464,640 Pair to Middleton - Middleton to Lawrencetown 7 miles nil nil 7 308,000 Lawrencetown to Paradise 3* miles 1,000 yds.18,000 _,-1,3, 102,960 ,,., lair,. Tributary Streams South Amapolis R. 4-; miles 2 26,400 47,520 Good Dam to confluence Fales R. Falls to 4i miles 2 24,640 55,440 Good confluence Nictaux R. Falls to 4 miles 2 42,840 119,680 Good confluence

Para dise R. Falls to 4 miles nil nil 4 42,240 Poor confluence Bloody Creek power plant 4 miles nil nil 4 56,320 Poor to conflice Round Hill R.15 niles 3 79,200 15 211,200 Fair to Good ,,eQtille R. 6 miles 1 6 Good

////•••••■ MINN Totals II aPprox.191 030 71+ 1 1407 1 000

- It is impossible to express soal4 ming or nursery areas in square yards as the survey did no give detail. Amonn•■•••4■41111=_

Year tream No. finzerlings stocked 1952 Annapolis River 55,250 Lequille River 61,500

-- Nictaux River 44,000 Round Hill River 48,250 1953 Annapolis River 83,515 Leille River 23,000 Round dill River 33,940

1954 ,\ Aallapolis RiVO2 131 2 •:30 I , Lequille River 67,000 Round Hill River 101,000 1955 •Annapolis River 89,200 Lequille River 32,000 Round dill River 35,200 1956 Annapolis River 160,165 Round Hill River • 63,000 Fales River 10,920 Lequille River 62,835

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